Pope offers boxes of rosaries as medicine

A faithful shows so-called 'Misericordina', a box containing a rosary, at the end of Pope Francis' traditional appearance in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican City. The pontiff recommended the rosary as medicine that 'does good to the heart'. Photo: EPA

Catholics cathedrals in England and Wales are benefiting from the so-called "Francis effect", seeing a rise in attendance for the first time in years, according to a survey carried out by The Sunday Times. The largest bump was in Leeds, which has seen a 35 per cent bounce in attendance. Similar rises are being reported around the rest of Europe and the World.